COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
• The Colorado Rockies will begin their 31st Major League season this afternoon in the first game of a four-game set with the San Diego Padres, followed by a two game set in Los Angeles-NL before heading back to Denver for the Home Opener at Coors Field on April 6 vs. Washington.
• Colorado will open a season on the road for the 22nd time in franchise history … the Rockies last opened on the road in 2020, falling to Texas 1-0.
• Colorado is 16-14 on Opening Day, including an 11-10 record on the road (5-4 at home).
• This is the third time in franchise history that the Rockies and Padres have met on Opening Day, the second time in the United States … the two teams met at Coors Field on Opening Day in 2005 (12-10 Rockies win) and opened the 1999 season in Monterrey, Mexico with San Diego as the home team.
OPEN ARMS
• Right-hander Germán Márquez will make his third Opening Day start (2020-21), the most in Rockies history … the 28-year-old is 0-1 and has combined for eight hits, two earned runs, nine walks and eight strikeouts over 9.2 innings, pitching to a 1.86 ERA on Opening Day.
• With his start this afternoon, Márquez will overtake nine other pitchers for the most Opening Day starts in franchise history (Kyle Freeland, Jon Gray, Jorge De La Rosa, Ubaldo Jimenez, Aaron Cook, Jason Jennings, Mike Hampton, Darryl Kile and Kevin Ritz).
OPEN AIR
• In 30 Opening Days, the Rockies have hit 37 home runs … two Rockies have recorded multi-home run games on Opening Day: Vinny Castilla in 1998 and Trevor Story in 2016.
• Three active Rockies have homered on Opening Day with their former teams: Mike Moustakas (2015, ‘17 with Kansas City, 2019 with Milwaukee
and 2020 with Cincinnati), Kris Bryant (2019 with Chicago-NL) and C.J. Cron (2020 with Detroit) … Moustakas’ four Opening Day home runs are tied with Nolan Arenado, Anthony Rizzo and Nelson Cruz for fourth-most among active players (Bryce Harper, Evan Longoria and Giancarlo Stanton each have five).
OPEN ROAD
• The Rockies went 10-9 against the Padres during the 2022 season, including a 3-6 record at Petco Park vs. a 7-3 record at Coors Field … Rockies pitchers recorded a 5.36 ERA against San Diego while the offense scored an average of 4.8 runs per game.
• Colorado is a combined 21-17 against San Diego since 2021, despite being outscored by the Padres 179-161 … the Rockies last won a series at Petco Park July 9-11, 2021, taking two of three games.
• The Padres won both of their 2023 Cactus League matchups with the Rockies, outscoring Colorado 21-3.
OPEN BOOK OPENING DAY RECORDS
• Charlie Blackmon is in line to make his 10th career Opening Day start, surpassing Troy Tulowitzki (nine) and Carlos González (nine) for the second-most Opening Day starts behind Todd Helton’s 16.
• The 2023 season will be Blackmon’s 13th on the Rockies’ Major League roster, the second-most seasons in Rockies history behind Todd Helton’s
17 … Carlos González (2009-18), Troy Tulowitzki (2006-15), Aaron Cook (2002-11) and Larry Walker (1995-2004) are tied for third with 10 consecutive seasons on the Major League roster.
OPEN MARKET
• Seven players on Colorado’s Opening Day roster will be making their Rockies debut when they take the field: right-handed pitchers Pierce Johnson (San Diego) and Connor Seabold (Boston), lefthanders Brad Hand (Philadelphia) and Brent Suter (Milwaukee), infielder Mike Moustakas (Cincinnati), outfielder Jurickson Profar (San Diego) and utility man Harold Castro (Detroit).
• Bud Black’s field staff has a new look for 2023, with Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens taking over as hitting coach … former Triple-A Albuquerque manager (2021-22) Warren Schaeffer will serve as the Rockies third base and infielder coach.
OPEN ENROLLMENT
• Six players will appear on their first Opening Day active roster: pitchers Jake Bird, Ryan Feltner and Connor Seabold, catcher Brian Serven, and infielders Elehuris Montero and Ezequiel Tovar.
• The Rockies have two players with their rookie status still intact on the Opening Day roster: INF Ezequiel Tovar and RHP Connor Seabold.
• Should he start today’s game, Tovar will be the youngest Opening Day starter in Rockies history at 21-years-241-days old.
• Three Colorado natives made the Rockies Opening any squad: Kyle Freeland (Denver, Thomas Jefferson High School), Ty Blach (Denver, Regis Jesuit High School) and Pierce Johnson (Denver, Faith Christian Academy) … Lucas Gilbreath (Westminster, Legacy High School) is on the 60-day injured list recovering from Tommy John surgery … Connor Seabold lived in Colorado for five years and once pitched at Coors Field while attending Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Colo., before moving back to California.
OPEN WORLD
• Six Rockies players represented five countries in the World Baseball Classic: RHP Daniel Bard (USA), C Elias Díaz (Colombia), LHP Kyle Freeland (USA), RHP Justin Lawrence (Panama), RHP Michael Petersen (Great Britain) and INF Alan Trejo (Mexico) … additionally, Rockies Communications Coordinator Rob Livingston led Team Czech Republic’s media relations effort … Freeland allowed one run over three innings in
the championship game, striking out two including WBC MVP Shohei Ohtani.
OPEN SPRING
• INF Elehuris Montero was named the 2023 Abby Greer Award winner as the Rockies Spring MVP, slashing .297/.348/.563 while ranking tied for third in the Cactus League in total bases (36) and home runs (five) and tied for fourth in hits (19).
• INF Ryan McMahon also finished among Cactus Leauge leaders, ranking tied for fourth in runs (14), seventh in on-base percentage (.397), tied for seventh in OPS (.961) and 10th in slugging (.564).
• OF Kris Bryant slashed .282/.391/.641 with four home runs in 16 Spring games.
• Five Rockies pitchers had sub-2.50 ERAs during the Spring: Germán Márquez (0.53), Ty Blach (0.77), Dinelson Lamet (1.00), Pierce Johnson (2.35) and Justin Lawrence (2.45).
48 ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER GERMÁN MÁRQUEZ RHP
ON BACKGROUND
• Pronounced HAIR-mahn MAR-kehz.
• Originally signed by the Tampa Bay Rays on July 6, 2011 as a 16-year-old out of San Felix, Venezuela.
• Acquired by the Rockies along with LHP Jake McGee in exchange for OF Corey Dickerson and INF Kevin Padlo on Jan. 28, 2016.
• Signed a five-year contract extension on April 6, 2019, covering the 2019-23 seasons with an option for 2024.
MR. OPENING DAY
• Making his franchise record third Opening Day start for the Rockies today … previously, nine other pitchers in franchise history had made two Opening Day starts: Kyle Freeland (2022, 2019), Jon Gray (2017-18), Jorge De La Rosa (2016, 2014), Ubaldo Jiménez (2010-11), Aaron Cook (2007, 2009), Jason Jennings (2003, 2006), Mike Hampton (2001-02), Darryl Kile (1998-99) and Kevin Ritz (1996-97).
• Across his two Opening Day starts, Márquez has gone 0-1 with a 1.86 ERA (9.2 IP, 2 ER), eight hits, nine walks and eight strikeouts … didn’t factor into the Rockies’ 8-5 win over the Dodgers onApril 1, 2021 at Coors Field, allowing one run on six hits with six walks and two strikeouts across four innings … lost at Texas, in the first game in Globe Life Park history, despite allowing just one run on two hits across 5.2 innings in a 1-0 Rockies loss.
MOVING ON UP
• Ranks fourth in franchise history with 63 wins, one shy of tying Jeff Francis for third in Rockies history.
• Enters today’s game sitting at 996.0 career innings pitched … would join Aaron Cook (1,312.1 IP), Jorge De La Rosa (1,141.1) and Jeff Francis (1,066.0) as the only pitchers to reach 1,000 innings pitched with the franchise.
• His 966 career strikeouts are the second-most in franchise history, trailing only Jorge De La Rosa (985 strikeouts).
• His 34 road wins are the second-most in franchise history, two away from tying Aaron Cook for the franchise record … 473 strikeouts on the road are the most in franchise history.
• Seventh in franchise history with 29 wins at home, one from tying Ubaldo Jiménez … 493 strikeouts at home second behind De La Rosa (515).
SPRING FLING
• Made four appearances (three starts) in Cactus League play and went 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA (17.0 IP, 1 ER), 11 hits allowed, two walks and 20 strikeouts.
• His lone run allowed in the Cactus League came in his last start on March 24 at Milwaukee, a solo home run to Garrett Mitchell.
FRIARS
• Has gone 9-3 with a 4.47 ERA (92.2 IP, 46 ER), 27 walks and 109 strikeouts in 17 career appearances (15 starts) against San Diego … his nine wins are his most against any single opponent.
• 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA (53.1 IP, 22 ER), 16 walks and 63 strikeout at Petco Park, his most wins in any visiting ballpark.
• Made two starts vs.the Padres in 2022, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA (12.0 IP, 6 ER), two walks and 13 strikeouts … both starts came within at six-day span, June 12 at Petco Park and June 18 at Coors Field
TOP OF THE LINE
• Has made 76 starts since 2020, tied with Jose Berrios, Dylan Cease and Aaron Nola for the most in the Majors.
• Since his first full season in 2017, ranks among Major League leaders in starts (166, 4th), innings pitched (965.1, 6th),strikeouts (951, 12th) and wins (62,T-9th).
2022
• Finished the season posting a 4.95 ERA across 31 starts, his highest ERA in any full season of his career … set career-highs in runs allowed (109), earned runs (100) and home runs (30).
• His 1.49 HR/9 was the fourth-highest rate in the Majors and the highest in the NL … 19 of his 30 home runs allowed were solo home runs.
• Of those 31 starts, 17 of them were quality, giving him his second consecutive season of 17 QS and third of his career of 15 or more (also: 20 QS in 2018).
• Went 2-6 (Rockies 9-7) with a 6.70 ERA (87.1 IP ,65 ER) with 24 walks and 80 strikeouts at Coors Field and 7-7 (Rockies 7-8) with a 3.34 ERA (94.1 IP, 35 ER) in 12 starts on the road.
• From July 5-Sept. 4, strung together a streak of 11-straight starts of at least six innings, tied for the fifth-longest such streak in the NL and tied for the sixth-longest in franchise history.
COORS
• Has gone 29-24 with a 5.08 ERA (483.1 IP, 273 ER), 147 walks and 493 strikeouts in 85 career appearances (84 starts) at Coors Field … the Rockies are 53-31 in his 85 career starts at home.
• In 16 starts at Coors Field in 2022, went 2-6 (Rockies 9-7) and pitched to a 6.70 clip (87.1 IP, 65 ER) with 24 walks and 80 strikeouts … opponents hit .317 (116-for-366) against him at home, the highest by any pitcher at their home ballpark.
• His 6.70 ERA at home was the highest home ERA in any season of his career and the seventh-highest in franchise history (min. 15 GS) … allowed four or more runs in 11 of his 16 home starts … received 60 total runs of support, a 6.18 RSA.
NOT COORS
• Career record of 34-30 with a 3.76 ERA (512.2 IP, 214 ER), 152 walks and 473 strikeouts in 87 appearances (85 starts) on the road … the Rockies are 44-41 in his 85 career road starts.
• Since his first full season in 2017,ranks among Major League leaders on the road in starts (85, 2nd), innings pitched (504.0, 2nd), wins (34,T-5th) and strikeouts (468, 8th).
• Has also logged 58 starts on the road of at least six innings pitched, the second-most in the Majors behind Gerrit Cole (65).
• Finished last season on a run of 14 straight road starts of at least six innings, the longest streak by a starter in franchise history.
GROUNDED
• Has posted a 49.5 ground ball percentage since 2018, the 11th highest mark in the Majors and fifth-highest in the NL … his 51.3 ground ball percentage at home is the eighth-highest mark in the NL.
• Has induced 73 ground ball double plays over that span, the fifth-most in the Majors and the second-most in the NL behind teammate Kyle Freeland (85).
SAN DIEGO PADRES NOTES:
Friars set Opening Day Roster
• The Padres’ Opening Day roster features 9 right-handed pitchers, 4 left-handers, 2 catchers, 7 infielders and 4 outfielders…Brent Honeywell and Domingo Tapia are making their 1st appearance on a Major League Opening Day roster
• This is the 1st Opening Day since 2015 in which SD’s full OD roster had every player with at least 1 big league game (Elias). Blake Snell makes his 2nd OD start
• Blake Snell gets the ball for his 2nd career Opening Day nod (1st was with TB in 2019 following his 2018 Cy Young season)… last year, Padres’ starters led the NL in quality starts (84) and innings per start (5.54).
• Snell’s last appearance game in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series (the Padres’ sole NLCS win of the series)…he got the win over RHP Aaron Nola, tossing 5.0 innings of 4-run ball with 5 hits allowed and 6 punchouts.
• Snell enters his start with 989 career punchouts, 11 away from joining the 1,000 strikeout club. We’re with you Matt
• Matt Williams has been diagnosed with colon cancer, and he’ll undergo surgery on Friday, March 31st…in his absence Mike Shildt will fill in as acting third base coach…said Bob Melvin on Matt’s diagnosis, “I’ve known him for over 35 years. He might be the toughest guy I’ve ever come across in baseball. I know he is going to give this the fiercest effort of his life and is going to beat this.” Opening Day against the Rockies
• Today is the 1st time the Padres have played the Rockies on Opening Day at Petco Park…they’ve played just twice before: 1999 (at San Diego Stadium) and 2005 (in Colorado)—both of which San Diego lost. Padres average age is 30
• The average age of the Padres’ Opening Day roster is 30 years…if Nelson Cruz gets a knock today, the 42 year old will become the oldest Padre to ever get a hit on Opening Day…the oldest were Gaylord Perry (was 40 in 1979) and Tony Gwynn (was 40 in 2001).
• The last time the Padres’ Opening Day active roster was 30-or-older was OD in 2007 season (30.8), per Elias. Injury Updates/Roster Moves
• Juan Soto, who has been dealing with a mild oblique strain, played in a “B” game in Peoria on Monday, March 27th, and in that same “B” game on the 27th, Joe Musgrove faced live hitters for the 1st time since he fractured his big left toe a month prior on February 27th.
• OF Adam Engel (left hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day IL (retro to March 27), and the following players have been placed on the 15-day IL (retro to March 27): RHP’s Joe Musgrove (left big toe fracture) and Robert Suarez (right elbow inflammation), LHP’s José Castillo (left shoulder strain) and Drew
Pomeranz (left elbow/flexor strain)…also placed LHP Adrian Morejon (left
elbow sprain) on the 60-day IL.
Pads start season with 24 games in 25 days Manager Bob Melvin
• San Diego will start the regular season with 24 games in 25 days…they’ll
have an off day on April 5 after the opening homestand vs. Colorado and
Arizona and then play 18 games in 18 days from April 6-23…they won’t have
an off day in San Diego until May 4.
STARTING PITCHER BLAKE SNELL #4
Snell makes his 2nd Opening Day Start
The 30-year-old left-hander takes the mound for his 2nd career Opening Day start to kick off the 2023 season vs. the Colorado Rockies…his other Opening Day start was opposite HOU’s Justin Verlander, who finished 2nd to Snell in the 2018 AL Cy Young Award voting and made his 11th Opening Day assignment…it was the fourth time since the Cy Young Award was introduced in 1956 that a reigning winner faced the runner-up on Opening Day.
Vs. the Rockies
4 of Snell’s 12 outings (all starts) vs. the NL West last season came vs. COL, who he went 1-1 against with a 5.31 ERA (12 ER, 20.1 IP)…in his first 5 career starts vs. the Rockies from 2016-21, he was 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA (10 ER, 26.1 IP).
NL West Success
Snell enters 2023 having made 32 career starts vs. NL West opponents, and his .192 opp. AVG is the 2nd-best mark of any ML pitcher since 1969 (min. 30 starts), trailing only Jacob deGrom (.174 in 45 career app – all starts)…using the same qualifications and timeframe, his .750 winning % (12-4) vs. the division is T-3rd best mark of any ML pitcher with Julio Urias, behind only Walker Buehler (.867) and Chris Carpenter (.778).
From 2016-21, he posted an 8-0 record with a 2.22 ERA and .176 AVG in his 20 starts vs. the NL West…all 4 of Snell’s career losing decisions vs. NL West opponents came in ‘22 (June 19 @ COL, Aug. 8 vs. SF, Sept. 5 vs. ARI and Sept 10 vs. LAD)…vs. the division in ’22, he went 4-4 with a 3.05 ERA and .217 opp. AVG.
Can’t spell Blake without the K
In 2022, he posted the 2nd-highest SO/9 IP ratio (12.02) of his career, along with 5 double-digit strikeout performances…from 2018-22, he posted the 3rd-most double-digit strikeout games (23) among all ML left-handers, trailing only Robbie Ray (26) and Chris Sale (25).
Snell enters tonight 11 strikeouts shy of the 1,000 strikeout club, and sits 5th in SO/9 IP (10.95) since his debut season in 2016 (min. 800 IP), trailing only Max Scherzer (11.83), Robbie Ray (11.49), Jacob deGrom (11.38) and Gerritt Cole (11.30).
Since 2016
Among all ML pitchers who have made at least 150 starts from Snell’s debut season in ’16 through ’22, he ranks in the top 6 in HR/9 (0.96, 4th), H/9 (7.31, 6th), ERA (3.41, 6th) and opponents’ AVG (.221, T-6th).
Wins and losses
His 8 winning decisions were the 2nd-most of his career, trailing only his 21 from his 2018 Cy Young season…his 10 losing decisions where also a career high, ahead of the 8 from his rookie 2016 season and in 2019 with Tampa Bay.
Tale of two halves
In his 10 first half starts, he went 1-5 with a 5.22 ERA and .705 opponent OPS…in his 14 second half starts, he went 7-5 with a 2.19 ERA and .585 opponent OPS…finished the season with a 3.38 ERA, it’s lowest mark at any point in 2022
